If everyone was equally armed, it would be a great deterrent. Most crime is opportunistic. Whether that opportunity is breaking into a house that is perceived to be empty or mugging someone because they are believed to be unarmed, it's all the same. If you gave everyone a gun, those that currently had them would have to think twice about doing something unlawful as they may be equally armed, or in the case of some members here on the forum, out-gunned altogether. This really doesn't have to do with politics, it's a statement of fact. The guy carrying the bigger stick wins and I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.